Portable pipe inspection systems and methods

ABSTRACT

An intelligent cable storage drum system for use in a pipe inspection system is disclosed. The system may include a cable storage drum, a video push-cable removably disposed on the cable storage drum, the video push-cable having a proximal end and a distal end, a video camera head having a camera output for providing analog or digital images or video output signals, and a transceiver module operatively coupled to the camera output for receiving the analog or digital images or video output signals and sending the received signals to a remote receiver.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to co-pendingU.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 14/961,754, filed Dec. 7, 2015,entitled PORTABLE PIPE INSPECTION SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS, which is acontinuation of and claims priority to U.S. Utility patent applicationSer. No. 13/676,018, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,222,809, filed Nov. 13, 2012,entitled PORTABLE PIPE INSPECTION SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS, which claimspriority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 61/559,107, filed Nov. 13, 2011, entitled PORTABLE PIPEINSPECTION SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS and U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 61/654,713, filed Jun. 1, 2012, entitled SYSTEMS AND METHODSINVOLVING A SMART CABLE STORAGE DRUM AND NETWORK NODE FOR TRANSMISSIONOF DATA. The content of each of these applications is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety for all purposes.

FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to mobile pipe inspection systems andrelated accessories and apparatus. More specifically, but notexclusively, this disclosure relates to a portable pipe inspectionsystem for examining pipes, conduits, and other cavities, the systemincluding an outer housing, cable storage drum assembly, a wheelassembly, and a pull-handle to facilitate transportation, usage, andstorage of the system. The system may further include other elementssuch as a video camera, an electrically, wirelessly, and/oroptically-connected transceiver and/or a Lucid battery and battery shoe.The inspection system may further include a wired or wireless networkdevice such as a base station or hub, which may be disposed in the cablestorage drum assembly or elsewhere in the portable pipe inspectionsystem.

BACKGROUND

Pipe inspection systems are frequently employed for determining thepresence and location of obstructions in pipes, sewers, conduits, andthe like. Existing pipe inspection systems may include a reel or drumused for sending a camera head coupled to a push-cable along the lengthof a pipe, and for rewinding the push-cable for stowage.

Diagnosis of complex problems often requires multiple inspections fromdifferent access points; thus it is often necessary to transport thepipe inspection system between such access points. When the inspectionhas concluded, it is frequently desirable to quickly transport the pipeinspection system to a service vehicle or another location. Thus, thereare situations where it is advantageous to provide a user with a pipeinspection system with improved portability and compact stowage.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art to address the above-describedas well as other problems.

SUMMARY

This disclosure relates generally to mobile pipe inspection systems andrelated accessories and apparatus. More specifically, but notexclusively, this disclosure relates to a portable pipe inspectionsystem for examining pipes, conduits, and other cavities, the systemincluding an outer housing, cable storage drum assembly, a wheelassembly, and a pull-handle to facilitate transportation, usage, andstorage of the system. The system may further include other elementssuch as a video camera, an electrically, wirelessly, and/oroptically-connected transceiver and/or a Lucid battery and battery shoe.The inspection system may further include a wired or wireless networkdevice such as a base station or hub, which may be disposed in the cablestorage drum assembly or elsewhere in the portable pipe inspectionsystem.

For example, in one aspect, the disclosure relates to a portable pipeinspection system. The pipe inspection system may include, for example,a detachable pull-handle, an outer housing assembly including aplurality of vents, the outer housing assembly configured to contain aremovable cable storage drum assembly, a handle accessory mount forremovably attaching the pull-handle to the outer housing assembly, ahandle stowage assembly coupled to the outer housing assembly, a cablestorage drum including a hub, and a wheel assembly including an axle, anaxle cap, and a plurality of wheels, wherein the wheel assembly isconfigured to be removably attached to the outer housing assembly usingthe axle cap.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a detachable wheel assemblyfor use on a portable pipe inspection system. The wheel assembly mayinclude, for example, an axle, a pair of wheels coupled to the axle, oneor more axle caps disposed around the axle, one or more retainingplates, and attachment hardware to couple the axle caps and retainingplates through an outer housing assembly of the pipe inspection system.The wheel assembly may be coupled through vents in the outer housingassembly.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a pull-handle assembly foruse on a portable pipe inspection system. The pull-handle assembly mayinclude, for example, a detachable pull-handle and a handle accessorymount for removably attaching the pull-handle to an outer housingassembly of the pipe inspection system. The handle accessory mount maybe configured to be attached to a retaining plate through one or morevents in an outer housing of the pipe inspection system. The pull-handleassembly may further include a handle stowage assembly configured to becoupled to an outer housing of the pipe inspection system. The handlestowage assembly may be configured to be attached to a retaining platethrough one or more vents in the outer housing.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a smart cable storage drum.The smart cable storage drum may include a push-cable, an inspectioncamera coupled to the push cable and configured to capture video, and anetwork transceiver configured to send and receive information from theinspection camera to and from one or more remote computing devices usinga network. The network transceiver may be local area networktransceiver, and the network may be a local area network. The local areanetwork may be a wired network. The local area network may be a wirelessnetwork. The local area network may be a WiFi (802.11) network or anEthernet network. The network may be a wide area network. The wide areanetwork may be a cellular or other wide area network, such as a WiMaxnetwork. The storage drum may further include a processing element and amemory device for storing data and video information. The local areanetwork transceiver may be configured to send and receive information toand from one or more remote computing devices using a Bluetoothconnection.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a computer-implementedmethod for controlling an inspection device using a first remotecomputing device. The computer-implemented method may include, forexample, receiving first inspection data from a first cable storage drumor a first inspection device, displaying at least some of the firstinspection data via a web browser or other software application, andreceiving at least a first input from a user of the remote computingdevice.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to an apparatus for viewinginformation from or controlling an inspection device. The apparatus mayinclude, for example, a display configured to present a user interface,wherein the user interface is configured to receive input from a userthat causes a change in an operation of the inspection device and aprocessing element in communication with the inspection device over anetwork. The processing element may be configured to cause the displayto present inspection data received from the inspection device in theuser interface on the display and cause an instruction based on theinput from the user to be sent to the inspection device.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a computer program productcomprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium having a computerreadable program code embodied therein. The computer readable programcode may be adapted to implement a method for viewing information fromor controlling an inspection device, the method including receivinginspection data from a cable storage drum or an inspection device,displaying at least some of the inspection data on a user interfaceprovided by a web browser or other software application, and receiving aplurality of inputs from a user of the remote computing device, whereina first input modifies the inspection data, a second input creates dataassociated with the inspection data, and a third input causes a changein an operation of the inspection device.

Various additional aspects, details, features, and functions aredescribed below in conjunction with the appended Drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure may be more fully appreciated in connection withthe following detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a wheeled pipeinspection system;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the wheeled pipe inspection systemembodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the wheeled pipe inspectionsystem embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, illustrating one embodiment of apull-handle in a stowed configuration;

FIG. 4 is a detailed front view of the wheeled pipe inspection systemembodiment of FIGS. 1 through 3;

FIG. 5 is a detailed rear view of the wheeled pipe inspection systemembodiment of FIGS. 1 through 4;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the wheeled pipe inspection system embodimentof FIGS. 1 through 5 when deployed in a horizontal orientation;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the wheeled pipe inspection system embodimentFIGS. 1 through 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged exploded view of a wheel assembly embodiment,illustrating details thereof;

FIG. 9 is a front perspective exploded view of a front half assemblyembodiment, illustrating details of an attachment mechanism of the wheelassembly embodiment of FIG. 8 and a front clamshell housing;

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the front half assembly embodiment ofFIG. 9, illustrating details from the rear side thereof;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of a rear half assemblyembodiment, illustrating the attachment mechanism for a pair of upperfeet mounted to the inside of a rear clamshell housing;

FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of an alternative embodiment wheeledpipe inspection system configured with a portable camera control unit;

FIG. 13A illustrates details of an alternate embodiment of a wheeledpipe inspection system with a pull-handle configured in an uprightposition;

FIG. 13B illustrates details of the wheeled pipe inspection systemembodiment of FIG. 13A with the pull-handle in a stowed position;

FIG. 13C illustrates details of the wheeled pipe inspection systemembodiment of FIG. 13A in kickstand mode;

FIG. 14 illustrates details of the wheeled pipe inspection systemembodiment of FIGS. 13A-C configured with one or more stow binassemblies;

FIG. 15 illustrates details of the wheeled pipe inspection systemembodiment of FIGS. 13A-C configured with two or more stow binassemblies;

FIG. 16 illustrates details of the wheeled pipe inspection systemembodiment of FIGS. 13A-C configured with two stow bin assemblies;

FIG. 17 illustrates details of an embodiment of the stow bin assembly ofFIGS. 14-16;

FIG. 18 is an exploded view of the stow bin assembly embodiment of FIG.17;

FIG. 19 is a top view of the stow bin assembly embodiment of FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 is a section view of the stow bin assembly embodiment, takenthrough line 20-20 of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 illustrates details of an alternate embodiment of a stow binassembly;

FIG. 22 is an exploded view of the alternate embodiment stow binassembly of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a wheeled pipe inspection system configured with a portablecamera control unit;

FIG. 24 illustrates a user performing a pipe inspection using anexemplary embodiment of a portable pipe inspection system;

FIG. 25A illustrates details of the pipe inspection system embodiment ofFIG. 24;

FIG. 25B illustrates details of the pipe inspection system embodiment ofFIGS. 24 and 25A;

FIG. 26 illustrates details of an embodiment of a user interface deviceconfigured with a pipe inspection system;

FIG. 27 illustrates details of an embodiment of a user interface device;

FIG. 28 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method forcommunicating data and instructions between a user interface device anda cable storage drum;

FIG. 29 is a flow chart illustrating an alternate method forcommunicating data and instructions between a computing device and acable storage drum;

FIG. 30 illustrates details of an embodiment of connections between aLucid battery and a wireless transceiver module in a portable inspectionsystem such as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 31 illustrates details of an embodiment of a Lucid batteryconnection to a non-intelligent battery dock/shoe;

FIG. 32 illustrates details of an embodiment of a Lucid batteryconnection to a non-intelligent battery dock/shoe with a data formatconverter;

FIG. 33 illustrates details of an embodiment of a Lucid batteryconnection to an intelligent battery dock/shoe with Lucid battery dataoutput; and

FIG. 34 illustrates details of an embodiment of a Lucid batteryconnection to an intelligent battery dock/shoe with a data formatconverter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Overview

This disclosure relates generally to mobile pipe inspection systems andrelated accessories and apparatus. More specifically, but notexclusively, this disclosure relates to a portable pipe inspectionsystem for examining pipes, conduits, and other cavities, the systemincluding an outer housing, cable storage drum assembly, a wheelassembly, and a pull-handle to facilitate transportation, usage, andstorage of the system. The system may further include other elementssuch as a video camera, an electrically, wirelessly, and/oroptically-connected transceiver and/or a Lucid battery and battery shoe.The inspection system may further include a wired or wireless networkdevice such as a base station or hub, which may be disposed in the cablestorage drum assembly or elsewhere in the portable pipe inspectionsystem.

Various aspects and details of elements which may be used in embodimentsof the present invention in conjunction with the disclosure herein aredescribed in co-assigned patent applications, including U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/534,721, entitled MODULAR BATTERY PACKAPPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS, filed Jun. 25, 2012, U.S. PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/663,617, entitled MODULAR BATTERY PACKAPPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS, INCLUDING VIRAL DATA AND/OR CODETRANSFER, filed Jun. 25, 2012, U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/214,208, entitled ASYMMETRIC DRAG FORCE BEARINGS FOR USE WITHPUSH-CABLE STORAGE DRUMS, filed Aug. 21, 2011, U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/704,808, entitled PIPE INSPECTION SYSTEM WITH REPLACEABLECABLE STORAGE DRUM, filed Feb. 12, 2010, U.S. patent application Ser.No. 12/399,859, entitled PIPE INSPECTION SYSTEM WITH REPLACEABLE CABLESTORAGE DRUM, filed Mar. 6, 2009, U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/371,540, entitled PUSH-CABLE FOR PIPE INSPECTION SYSTEM, filed Feb.13, 2009, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/152,662,entitled HIGH PERFORMANCE PIPE INSPECTION SYSTEM, filed Feb. 13, 2009.The content of each of these applications is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety. The applications may be referenced herein as the“Incorporated Applications” for brevity.

In one aspect, the disclosure relates to a portable pipe inspectionsystem. The pipe inspection system may include, for example, adetachable pull-handle, an outer housing assembly including a pluralityof vents, the outer housing assembly configured to contain a removablecable storage drum assembly, a handle accessory mount for removablyattaching the pull-handle to the outer housing assembly, a handlestowage assembly coupled to the outer housing assembly, a cable storagedrum including a hub, and a wheel assembly including an axle, an axlecap, and a plurality of wheels, wherein the wheel assembly is configuredto be removably attached to the outer housing assembly using the axlecap.

The handle accessory mount may, for example, be coupled to the outerhousing using attachment hardware including one or more connectorspassing through the vents. The one or more connectors may be screws orbolts. The wheel assembly may be coupled to the outer housing assemblyusing one or more connectors that pass through the vents. The one ormore connectors may be screws or bolts. The pull-handle may be attachedto a front side of the outer housing assembly. The pull-handle may beattached to a back side of the outer housing assembly. The wheelassembly may be attached to a front side of the outer housing assembly.The wheel assembly may be attached to a back side of the outer housingassembly.

The wheel assembly may, for example, include a rubber grommet configuredto provide shock isolation to the axle. The detachable pull-handle mayinclude a mounting alignment mechanism. The mounting alignment mechanismmay include an alignment pin configured to engage a formed groove of thehandle accessory mount. The detachable pull-handle may include a holeconfigured to engage a lower pin of the handle accessory mount. Thehandle accessory mount may include a seating mechanism for fixing thepull-handle. The seating mechanism may include a formed groove forreceiving an alignment pin of the pull-handle. The seating mechanism mayinclude a molded insert. The seating mechanism may include aspring-loaded toggle and a lower pin coupled to the toggle.

The handle stowage assembly may include, for example, a stowage cup forreceiving the detachable pull-handle. The handle stowage assembly mayinclude a clip for securing the detachable pull-handle to the outerhousing assembly. The stowage cup may be disposed on the wheel assembly.

The wheel assembly may further include one or more retaining plates andattachment hardware to couple the axle caps and retaining plates throughthe outer housing assembly. The wheels may be coupled to the axle, andthe one or more axle caps may be disposed around the axle. Theattachment hardware may couple the axle caps and retaining platesthrough one or more vents in the outer housing assembly. The attachmenthardware may include a plurality of screws. The attachment hardware mayinclude plurality of bolts and a corresponding plurality of nuts.

The handle stowage assembly may, for example, be coupled to the outerhousing assembly through one or more vents of the housing assembly. Thewheel assembly may be coupled to the outer housing assembly through oneor more vents of the housing assembly. The pull-handle may be in asubstantially circular or oval shape. The pull-handle may be in asubstantially rectangular shape.

The portable pipe inspection system may further include, for example,one or more wireless network transceivers or other wireless basestations or hubs, which may be disposed in the cable storage drum orelsewhere in the portable pipe inspection system, such as in thehousing. In an exemplary embodiment the wireless network transceiver maybe disposed in the hub of the cable storage drum or elsewhere in thecable storage drum. The wireless network transceiver may be a WiFi(802.11) transceiver or other wireless local area network transceiver.The wireless network transceiver may be a cellular or other wide areanetwork wireless transceiver. The wireless network transceiver may be aBluetooth or other short range wireless network transceiver. Thewireless network transceiver may send battery data to a separateelectronic computing device. The electronic computing device may be anotebook or tablet computer. The electronic computing device may be apersonal digital assistant (PDA) or cellular or smart phone device.

The portable pipe inspection system may further include an intelligentbattery shoe. The intelligent battery shoe may be a Lucid battery shoe.The intelligent battery shoe may be configured to provide viral datatransfer to or from a coupled intelligent battery. The coupledintelligent battery may be a Lucid battery or other intelligent battery.The intelligent battery shoe may include an electrical or opticalconnection to the wireless network transceiver. The electrical oroptical connection may be used to provide data from a coupled battery tothe wireless network transceiver. The data may alternately be providedto the wireless network transceiver via a wireless connection from theintelligent battery or battery shoe. The system may further include anintelligent battery coupled to the battery shoe. Data from theintelligent battery may be communicated to the wireless networktransceiver through the battery shoe. The electrical connection mayincludes a slip-ring connector to provide a slip-ring electricalconnection to the hub or other areas of the cable storage drum.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a detachable wheel assemblyfor use on a portable pipe inspection system. The wheel assembly mayinclude, for example, an axle, a pair of wheels coupled to the axle, oneor more axle caps disposed around the axle, one or more retainingplates, and attachment hardware to couple the axle caps and retainingplates through an outer housing assembly of the pipe inspection system.The wheel assembly may be coupled through vents in the outer housingassembly.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a pull-handle assembly foruse on a portable pipe inspection system. The pull-handle assembly mayinclude, for example, a detachable pull-handle and a handle accessorymount for removably attaching the pull-handle to an outer housingassembly of the pipe inspection system. The handle accessory mount maybe configured to be attached to a retaining plate through one or morevents in an outer housing of the pipe inspection system. The pull-handleassembly may further include a handle stowage assembly configured to becoupled to an outer housing of the pipe inspection system. The handlestowage assembly may be configured to be attached to a retaining platethrough one or more vents in the outer housing.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a smart cable storage drum.The smart cable storage drum may include a push-cable, an inspectioncamera coupled to the push cable and configured to capture video, and anetwork transceiver configured to send and receive information from theinspection camera to and from one or more remote computing devices usinga network. The information may include audio or video data or other dataor information about the cable storage drum, coupled inspection system,or power supply element such as batteries. The network transceiver maybe a local area network transceiver, and the network may be a local areanetwork. The local area network may be a wired network. The local areanetwork may be a wireless network. The local area network may be a WiFi(802.11) network or an Ethernet network or other local area network. Thenetwork may be a wide area network. The wide area network may be acellular or other wide area network, such as a WiMax network. Thestorage drum may further include a processing element and a memorydevice for storing data and video information. The local area networktransceiver may be configured to send and receive information to andfrom one or more remote computing devices using a Bluetooth connection.

In some embodiments, at least some of the information sent to the one ormore remote computing devices may, for example, be used by a web browseror an installable software application to display the captured video onthe one or more remote computing devices. At least some of theinformation sent to the one or more remote computing devices may be usedby a web browser or an installable software application to display auser interface for controlling the inspection camera at the one or moreremote computing devices. At least some of the information received fromthe one or more remote computing devices may be used to change at leastone operation of the inspection camera. A pipe inspection record andcorresponding captured audio, video and/or battery data, system, orother information may be stored on a memory of the smart cable storagedrum.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a computer-implementedmethod for controlling an inspection device using a first remotecomputing device. The computer-implemented method may include, forexample, receiving first inspection data from a first cable storage drumor a first inspection device, displaying at least some of the firstinspection data via a web browser or other software application, andreceiving at least a first input from a user of the remote computingdevice.

The first inspection data may be received via a wireless local areanetwork hosted by the first cable storage drum or the first inspectiondevice. The method may further include creating, based on the firstinput, an instruction configured to control one or more operations ofthe first inspection device, and sending the instruction to the firstcable storage drum or the first inspection device. The first input mayinclude one or more edits to the first inspection data. The first inputmay include additional data related to the first inspection data.

The computer-implemented method may further include, for example,sending the first input to a second remote computing device. The methodmay further include receiving data related to a second input from asecond user of a second remote computing device, and displaying the datarelated to the second input. The method may further include receivingsecond inspection data from a second cable storage drum or a secondinspection device, and displaying at least some of the second inspectiondata via the web browser or other software application. The secondinspection data and the first inspection data may be simultaneouslydisplayed. The method may further include receiving data from a backenddatabase, comparing the data from the backend database with the firstinspection data, and displaying, based on the comparison, at least someof the data from the backend database simultaneously with the firstinspection data via the web browser or other software application. Thefirst inspection data may be received via a wireless network hosted bythe first remote computing device. The first inspection data may bereceived via the Internet.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to an apparatus for viewinginformation from or controlling an inspection device. The apparatus mayinclude, for example, a display configured to present a user interface,wherein the user interface is configured to receive input from a userthat causes a change in an operation of the inspection device and aprocessing element in communication with the inspection device over anetwork. The processing element may be configured to cause the displayto present inspection data received from the inspection device in theuser interface on the display, and cause an instruction based on theinput from the user to be sent to the inspection device.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a computer program productcomprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium having a computerreadable program code embodied therein. The computer readable programcode may be adapted to implement a method for viewing information fromor controlling an inspection device, the method including receivinginspection data from a cable storage drum or an inspection device,displaying at least some of the inspection data on a user interfaceprovided by a web browser or other software application, and receiving aplurality of inputs from a user of the remote computing device, whereina first input modifies the inspection data, a second input creates dataassociated with the inspection data, and a third input causes a changein an operation of the inspection device.

Various additional aspects, details, features, and functions aredescribed below in conjunction with the appended Drawing figures.

The following exemplary embodiments are provided for the purpose ofillustrating examples of various aspects, details, and functions ofapparatus and systems; however, the described embodiments are notintended to be in any way limiting. It will be apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art that various aspects may be implemented inother embodiments within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

It is noted that as used herein, the term, “exemplary” means “serving asan example, instance, or illustration.” Any aspect, detail, function,implementation, and/or embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is notnecessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over otheraspects and/or embodiments.

Example Embodiments

Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a pipe inspection system 100 inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure is shown. Pipeinspection system 100 may include an outer housing assembly, such as theouter clamshell housing assembly 102 as shown, or a housing of a similaror equivalent configuration for providing an enclosure for a cablestorage drum (not shown in FIG. 1), which may be configured to store apush-cable for deployment in, or retrieval from, a pipe or other objector cavity. In addition, pipe inspection system 100 may include one ormore vents and one or more access ports in the housing assembly, adetachable wheel assembly, feet or pedestal elements, and/or adetachable handle assembly, such as further described below.

Various elements of pipe inspection system 100 may be constructed inaccordance with details of pipe inspection system and apparatusembodiments described in, for example, U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/532,721, filed Jun. 25, 2012, entitled MODULAR BATTERY PACKAPPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS, U.S. Patent Application Ser. No.61/663,617, filed Jun. 25, 2012, entitled MODULAR BATTERY PACKAPPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS, INCLUDING VIRAL DATA AND/OR CODETRANSFER, which includes various details of embodiments of intelligentor “Lucid” batteries and battery coupling systems, and battery controland monitoring systems, as well as “viral” data transfer mechanisms asmay be used in a system such as system 100, U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/214,208, filed Aug. 21, 2011, entitled ASYMMETRIC DRAG FORCEBEARINGS FOR USE WITH PUSH-CABLE STORAGE DRUMS, which includes detailsof embodiments of bearings and related components that may be used in asystem such as system 100, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/704,808,filed Feb. 12, 2010, entitled PIPE INSPECTION SYSTEM WITH REPLACEABLECABLE STORAGE DRUM, which includes details of embodiments of storagedrums, housings, and related components that may be used in a systemsuch as system 100, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/399,859, filedMar. 6, 2009, entitled PIPE INSPECTION SYSTEM WITH REPLACEABLE CABLESTORAGE DRUM, which includes details of embodiments of storage drums,housings, and related components that may be used in a system such assystem 100, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/371,540, filed Feb. 13,2009, entitled PUSH-CABLE FOR PIPE INSPECTION SYSTEM, which includesdetails of embodiments of push-cables, storage drums for thepush-cables, housings, and related components that may be used in asystem such as system 100, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.No. 61/152,662, filed Feb. 13, 2009, entitled HIGH PERFORMANCE PIPEINSPECTION SYSTEM, that includes various details of embodiments ofcomponents that may be used in a system such as system 100. Each ofthese applications are incorporated by reference in their entiretyherein. Various embodiments of the present invention may be implementedwith elements that are the same as or similar to the embodiment detailsdisclosed in these applications, with additional wheel assemblies,housings, pull-handles, batteries and battery shoes, wirelesstransmitter and receivers, such as WiFi (802.11), Bluetooth, cellular,or other wireless devices, GPS or other location or positioning devices,and/or other features as are described subsequently herein.

Still referring to FIG. 1, outer clamshell housing 102 may include afront clamshell housing element 105 and a rear clamshell housing element104, which may be mated or coupled to enclose a cable storage drum (notshown in FIG. 1) for storing a push-cable, which may be coupled to othercomponents such as a camera element, pipe clearing elements, such ascutting tools or jetting tools, and/or other components configured to bedeployed on a push-cable. The cable storage drum may include a hub (notshown in FIG. 1), which may further include electronics and/or relatedcomponents, such as a wireless transceiver, one or more processingelements, video and/or data processing circuits, and other components.The electronics and/or related components may also be disposed in otherareas of the cable storage drum in some embodiments, or elsewhere in theportable inspection system, such as in the housing. The hub may becoupled to cabling of the portable inspection system using a slip-ringor other electrical, optical, or wireless connection.

The housing elements may be coupled by a hinge mechanism, pins, latches,clamps, adhesives, and/or other attachment mechanisms. In someembodiments, one or more alternate housing assembly configurations maybe used, such as housing assemblies including additional housingelements (beyond those shown) and/or alternate element connectionmechanisms.

One or more apertures or vents, such as vents 106, may be disposed inthe outer housing assembly, such as on one or both of the frontclamshell housing element 105 and rear clamshell housing element 104,and may be used for draining fluids to allow ventilation for drying,etc., from the interior volume of clamshell housing 102, and/or formounting various accessories such as clips, assemblies, and the like. Inan exemplary embodiment, a wheel assembly and/or a pull-handle assemblymay be mounted to a housing such as housing 102 through vents such asvents 106. In some embodiments, other accessories, such as, for example,batteries, power cables, push-cable deployment or recovery mechanismssuch as powered deployment and/or retractor mechanisms, display ormonitor mounts and/or displays or monitors, computer components, and/orother components or accessories may be similarly mounted to a housingsuch as housing 102 through vents such as vents 106. As describedsubsequently herein, mounting mechanisms may include brackets and othercomponents that may be positioned on opposite sides of the housing andmay be coupled by a bolt, screw, or other attachment mechanism passingthrough the housing via the vents.

A detachably removable pull-handle, such as pull-handle 108, may be usedfor moving, positioning, raising or lowering, and/or otherwisemanipulating the pipe inspection system during transport and use.Pull-handle 108 may be removably mounted for use, such as by beingsecured in a seating mechanism in handle accessory mount 109, where itmay be fixed in place during use and readily removable for stowing.Although pull-handle embodiment 108 is shown as a single handle tubularpull-handle, in other embodiments alternate pull-handle shapes may beused, such as, for example, a looped pull-handle which may be in acircular or oval-like shape or a rectangular-shape, and may be connectedto system 100 at two or more points.

Housing 102 may include a front side, corresponding to a side where apush-cable and accessories such as a camera are deployed, and a back orrear side, corresponding to a side opposite the front side. While thepull-handle 108 is shown on the front side of housing 102 in theillustrated embodiment, in other embodiments, the pull-handle may bemounted on the back side or on other sides or positions of the pipeinspection system 100.

In embodiments of pull-handles configured in circular, oval, orrectangular shapes, the pull-handle may be configured to be foldableonto both the front and back sides of the housing to allow differentpositioning depending on a particular inspection operation. In addition,in some embodiments, a pull-handle may be configured to be partiallyfolded to provide a tripod-like support in addition to support providedby wheels or feet/pedestals of the system. In this way, the pipeinspection system may be angled to the ground to allow easier control,cable deployment or retraction, and/or display viewing in embodimentsusing a display or monitor device.

Likewise, while the wheel assembly 114 is shown mounted to the frontside of housing 102 in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, inother embodiments, wheel assemblies may be mounted to the back side orto other positions on the outer housing.

In a stowage configuration, pull-handle 108 may be secured using astowage assembly. For example, the stowage assembly may include afastener or clip, such as handle stowage clip 128, which may be disposedon or in the housing, such as on the front clamshell housing element 105as shown. Alternately, or in addition, the stowage assembly may includea handle stowage cup 126, which may be disposed on the axle 124 or onother elements of pipe inspection system 100. For example, as show inFIG. 3, pull-handle 108 may be stowed in stowage cup 126 and securedusing stowage clip 128 in a stowage configuration.

A lifting mechanism, such as lifting handle 112, may be coupled to theclamshell housing 102, such as by using a pair of mount supports 110 orother attachment mechanisms, such as screws, adhesives, and the like.One or more cord wraps, such as a right cord wrap 111 and a left cordwrap 113 as shown, may be disposed on mount supports 110 and/orelsewhere on the outer housing assembly for stowing a system connectioncable (not shown in FIG. 1), which may connect the pipe inspectionsystem 100 to a camera control unit, monitor (not shown in FIG. 1),power supply, computing system, or other device or system.

An access port, such as access port 406, may be included on one or boththe front and back sides of an outer housing to allow an operator toaccess a stored push-cable for deployment and retraction. In addition,accessories such as cameras that are mounted to the push-cable may beaccessed for deployment through access port 406, thereby allowing forstorage of the camera or other accessory on or internal to the outerhousing assembly. In this configuration where the access port 406 isformed on the front of housing 102, a camera may be deployed through aport such as port 310 (as shown in FIG. 3).

Embodiments of pipe inspection systems may include fixed or detachablewheel assemblies. For example, in some embodiments, a fixed wheelassembly may be used, wherein the wheel attachment elements, such asaxles, mounting bosses, and the like, are permanently fixed to or moldedor formed into the outer housing assembly or to another structure suchas a frame.

Alternately, in some embodiments, a detachable wheel assembly may beused to provide for removal of the wheel assembly and/or addition of awheel assembly to a non-wheeled pipe inspection system (such as, forexample, a pipe inspection system lacking wheels and/or apush-/pull-handle). For example, in one embodiment, detachable wheelassembly embodiment 114 (further described subsequently with respect toFIG. 8) may be mounted to the lower portion of the front clamshellhousing element 105, using, for example, one or more axle caps, such asa left axle cap 116 and a right axle cap 118. Wheel assembly 114 mayinclude an axle, such as axle 124, to provide support for one or morewheels, such as a left wheel 120 and right wheel 122. The axle 124 maybe disposed within an axle tube 800 (as shown in FIG. 8), which may beenclosed by a shield or sleeve, such as axle tube sleeve 125, which maybe disposed between the left axle cap 116 and the right axle cap 118,for providing wear and abrasion protection to system 100. The wheelassembly 114 may be mounted using connectors such as screws, bolts,rods, etc., that pass through the housing via vents 106.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view illustrating additional details of thewheeled pipe inspection system embodiment 100. Pipe inspection systemembodiments may include one or more feet or pedestal elements forsupporting and protecting the system during use or storage. For example,in an exemplary embodiment, an upper right rear foot 200 and an upperleft rear foot 202 may be disposed on or within the outer housingassembly, such as on a surface of rear clamshell housing 104.Alternately, or in addition, one or more pedestal elements, such as rearleft lower foot 206 and rear right lower foot 204, front right lowerfoot 208, and front left lower foot 210 (as shown in FIG. 4), may bedisposed at the bottom surface of clamshell housing 102.

A system connector cable for carrying signals such as analog or digitalelectrical or optical signals, battery data signals, and/or electricalpower, such as system connector cable 212, may be coupled to a removableslip-ring assembly 214, which may be disposed in an opening in the outerhousing assembly, such as an opening in the center of rear clamshellhousing 104. One or more sliding latches, such as an upper right slidinglatch 216, a middle right sliding latch 218, and a lower right slidinglatch 220, may be used for locking the mated halves (front clamshellhousing element 105 and rear clamshell housing 104) of clamshell housing102. Other mechanisms may alternately be used to couple elements of theouter housing assembly in various embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 3, details of wheeled pipe inspection systemembodiment 100, in a configuration where pull-handle 108 is stowed, areillustrated. As noted previously, pull-handle 108 may be seated into thehandle stowage cup 126 and retained by the handle stowage clip 128.

The pull-handle 108 may include a handle mounting alignment mechanismfor aligning pull-handle positioning and restraining pull-handle motion.The housing assembly may include a seating mechanism for securing thepull-handle during use, while readily allowing removal for stowage. Forexample, the handle mounting alignment mechanism may include analignment pin 300 on pull-handle 108, which, when deployed, may dropinto a seating mechanism, such as formed groove 302 on the handleaccessory mount 109, for preventing rotation of the pull-handle 108. Theformed groove 302 may be backed by a molded insert 303. In otherembodiments, alternate alignment mechanisms, such as keyed slots,hinges, or other alignment mechanisms known or developed in the art maybe used.

In an exemplary embodiment, a spring-loaded toggle 304 may move a lowerpin (not shown in FIG. 3) into a lower hole 306 on the pull-handle 108when it is fully inserted, to prevent the handle 108 from slippingupward when pulled, as well as preventing rotation. When thespring-loaded toggle 304 is pressed in, the lower pin (not shown) iswithdrawn, allowing the pull-handle 108 to be removed from the groove302 in the handle accessory mount 109.

One or more sliding latches, such as right upper sliding latch 216,right middle sliding latch 218, and/or right lower sliding latch 220(see FIG. 2) may be used for locking the halves of the clamshell housing102 together. A push-cable, which may be spooled on a drum (not shown),which may be coupled to a pipe-inspection camera 308, may be fed fromthe inside of the outer clamshell housing 102 through an opening, suchas a cable feed opening 310, which may be lined with a formed wearinsert 312, or other friction-reduction mechanism, such as a bearing toaid in deploying and retracting the push cable.

A camera stowage mechanism, such as camera stowage clip 316, may bedisposed on the outer housing, such as on a plastic front plate 314,which may be mounted on the front surface of front clamshell housingelement 105. The pipe-inspection camera 308 may be stored under thecamera stowage clip 316 when not in use and/or elsewhere on system 100.

FIG. 4 illustrates details of wheeled pipe inspection system embodiment100, shown in a front perspective view. A front bumper 400, which may beconstructed of rubber or other similar or equivalent materials, may bedisposed centrally below the cable feed opening 310 on a raised bumpersection 402, which may be a molded feature of the front plate 314. Incombination with the front feet 208 and 210, the front bumper 400 mayprotect the front surface from abrasion, fluid or dirt infiltration,and/or other hazards from contact with the ground.

The wheel assembly 114 may be mounted to the front clamshell housingelement 105 with the left axle cap 116 and the right axle cap 118, whichmay be attached with fasteners, such as screws 404 to a mounting plate(not shown in FIG. 4). An access port or opening 406 may be formed inthe housing to allow an operator to manually lead the camera 308 (asshown in FIG. 3) through the cable feed opening 310 when preparing thesystem 100 for use.

Referring to FIG. 5, a rear view of the wheeled pipe inspection systemembodiment 100 is illustrated. In an exemplary embodiment, the systemconnector cable 212 may emerge from the removable slip-ring assembly214. The system connector cable 212 may alternately be longer than shownin FIG. 5, and excess system cable may be stowed using the right cordwrap 111 and the left cord wrap 113. The slip-ring assembly 214 may beconstructed in accordance with embodiments described in, for example,U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/704,808, entitled PIPE INSPECTIONSYSTEM WITH REPLACEABLE CABLE STORAGE DRUM, filed Feb. 12, 2010, theentire content of which is incorporated by reference herein. Non-skidmaterial, such as textured rubber or other similar material, may bedisposed on the surface of one or more feet, such as rear left lowerfoot 206, rear right lower foot 204, rear left upper foot 202 and rearright upper foot 200 to prevent slippage and protect the surface ofhousing 102 when operated in a horizontal orientation (as shown in, forexample, FIG. 6).

Referring to FIG. 6, a side view illustrates details of the wheeled pipeinspection system embodiment 100 in a horizontal orientation, laid downor resting on the ground or another surface 650. In an exemplaryembodiment, the pipe inspection system 100 may be lowered to ahorizontal orientation using the pull-handle 108. In this orientation,the pipe inspection system is supported on feet or pedestal elements,such as the rear left lower foot 206, rear right lower foot 204 (shownin FIG. 5), rear left upper foot 202 and the rear right upper foot 200,which may be configured to provide clearance for the system connectorcable 212 to lead out to a system monitor and/or camera control unit(not shown) between the ground 650 and the housing 102. Correspondinglatches (not shown) may be used on the other side of the outer housingin a similar fashion.

Operating the pipe inspection system 100 in a horizontal orientation mayprovide advantages such as stability when the system is used on variousterrains, such as for example, sloped roofs or irregular terrain, andmay provide other advantages such as ease of operator use or viewing ofimages or other information shown on displays or monitors of the pipeinspection system 100 (see FIG. 4). The camera 308 and the associatedpush-cable 606 in this orientation may be paid out from the upper faceof the housing 102, and the camera 308 and/or attached push-cable may beaccessed for retrieval or paying out via access window 406 (not shown),which may be done from the top of system 100 in the orientation shown inFIG. 6.

One or more latches, such as a left upper sliding latch 600, a leftmiddle sliding latch 602, and a left lower sliding latch 604 may be usedto secure the halves of the clamshell housing 102. Other attachmentmechanisms may alternately be used to secure elements of the outerhousing in different embodiments.

Turning to FIG. 7, a bottom view of the wheeled pipe inspection systemembodiment 100 illustrates additional details. In an exemplaryembodiment, a central hinge 700 may be used for joining the frontclamshell housing element 105 and the rear clamshell housing 104, whichmay be disposed on the bottom surface of clamshell housing 102, forallowing the clamshell housing 102 (as shown in FIGS. 1-3, and 6) to beopened to access a replaceable cable storage drum (not shown), or forcleaning, maintenance, and repair. The left lower sliding latch 604 andright lower sliding latch 220 (in addition to middle and upper slidinglatches on right and left sides) may be used for securing and/orreleasing the halves of clamshell housing 102.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged exploded view illustrating details of detachablewheel assembly embodiment 114. In an exemplary embodiment, axle 124 maybe disposed within an axle tube 800, which in turn may be shielded bythe axle tube sleeve 125. A pair of shock isolators, such as axle tubeisolators 814, may be disposed at the ends of axle tube 800 forproviding shock dampening at each end.

Wheel assembly embodiment 114 may include very high bond (VHB) tapesegments 816 positioned between the axle tube 800 and the left axlemounting block 806, and/or between the axle tube 800 and the right axlemounting block 808. When compressed in assembly, the VHB tape segments816 may act to prevent any lateral displacement of the axle tube 800.One or more washers, such as washers 804, may be positioned between axletube isolators 814 and the wheels 120 and 122, which may be mounted tothe ends of axle 124. The pull-handle stowage cup 126 may be disposed atthe left end of the axle tube 800.

When assembled, the wheel assembly 114 may be mounted by seating theleft axle cap 116 and the right axle cap 118 over the axle tube 800. Oneor more fasteners, such as retaining screws 404, may be used forsecuring left axle cap 116 and right axle cap 118 to retaining plates(not shown in FIG. 8), such that the wheel assembly 114 may be tightlysecured to the front clamshell housing element 105 (as shown in FIG. 1).For example, screws 404 may be lead through formed holes in the leftaxle cap 116 and right axle cap 118, and through mating holes in leftaxle mounting block 806 and right axle mounting block 808, and thenthrough one of the vent openings such as, for example, vents 106 (asshown in FIG. 1), where they may then be attached to or through theretaining plates. In some embodiments, quick disconnection mechanisms,such as screws with handles or wing nuts, latching mechanisms, or otherquick-release attachment mechanisms may be used to further reduce thetime and effort required to remove or attach the wheel assembly.

FIG. 9 is a front perspective exploded view of a front half assemblyembodiment 908, illustrating details of an attachment mechanism of thewheel assembly 114 and a front clamshell housing element 105. As shownin FIG. 9, the front clamshell housing element 105 corresponds with acommercially available cable reel housing provided by SeeScan, Inc.,assignee of the instant application. The pull-handle 108 and relatedattachment elements, as well as the wheel assembly 114 and relatedattachment elements, may be used to modify the commercially availablehousing to include wheels and a pull-handle as shown.

In an exemplary embodiment, one or more retaining plates, such as a pairof handle accessory mount retaining plates 900, a right axle assemblyretaining plate 902, a left axle assembly retaining plate 904, and/or ahandle stowage clip retaining plate 906, may be used for attachingvarious components to the front clamshell housing element 105. Forexample, the wheel assembly 114 may mate to the rear half assembly 908with the right axle assembly retaining plate 902 and the left axleassembly retaining plate 904. The handle stowage clip 128 may similarlybe secured by fasteners or other connectors, such as screws 104, pins,bolts, and the like, leading through one or more of vents 106 andattaching to the handle stowage clip retaining plate 906. Otherquick-release attachment mechanisms may alternately be used to securethe wheel assembly 114 to the outer housing assembly.

Referring now to FIG. 10, additional embodiments of attachment detailsof the wheel assembly and pull-handle are illustrated. For example, thewheel assembly 114 may be retained by attachment hardware, such asscrews 404, which connect the right axle assembly retaining plate 902and the left axle assembly retaining plate 904 to the right axlemounting block 808 and the left axle mounting block 806 respectively,passing through apertures or vents 106 on the front clamshell housingelement 105. The handle accessory mount 109 may be similarly attached bythe two handle accessory mount retaining plates 900. The handle stowageclip 128 may be similarly attached with the handle stowage clipretaining plate 906. In an exemplary embodiment, the pull-handle andwheel assembly are attached through the outer housing assembly withhardware positioned within existing openings or cavities in the outerhousing assembly, thereby allowing simple retrofit of non-wheeled pipeinspection systems.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged plan view of details of a rear half clamshellassembly embodiment 1104, illustrating an attachment mechanism forcomponents mounted to the inside of rear clamshell housing 104. In anexemplary embodiment, one or more feet, such as rear left upper foot 202and the rear right upper foot 200, may be secured to the rear clamshellhousing 104 by a pair of corresponding retaining plates, such as, forexample, an upper left foot retaining plate 1100 and an upper right footretaining plate 1102.

The attachment mechanisms described in the preceding examples mayprovide flexibility for configuring pipe inspection systems, such aswheeled pipe inspection system 100, with various accessories andcomponents. For example, a mounting deck for a laptop or monitor usedfor processing images captured by a pipe-inspection camera 308 (as shownin FIG. 3) attached to a push-cable 606 (as shown in FIG. 6) may beattached in a fashion similar to the pull-handle and wheel assembly,such as using mounting hardware passing through vents such as vent 106.

Referring to FIG. 12, details of an alternative embodiment of a pipeinspection system 1200 are illustrated. In an exemplary embodiment,system 1200 may include a portable monitor and camera control device,such as portable camera control unit (CCU) 1202, which may include oneor more computer processors or processing elements, camera control andmonitoring elements, such as displays, keypads or other input or controlmechanisms, data transmission and storage components, as well as othercomputer control, processing, and storage elements, and may beincorporated with a wheeled pipe inspection system, such as pipeinspection system embodiment 100, to facilitate simultaneous transportof both the CCU 1202 and the pipe inspection system 100.

For example, a portable CCU 1202, which may include a built-in monitoror display device, such as an LCD panel (not shown), along with one ormore processing elements and associated electronics components may beremovably attached to the external surface of the rear clamshell housing104 of the pipe inspection system 100 with a mounting element, such as apurpose-designed CCU mounting block 1204, which may be configured forretaining the handle of the portable CCU 1202 with one or more fastenersor clips, such as spring-loaded clip 1206. The CCU mounting block 1204may be mounted to the rear clamshell housing 104 with a retaining plate(not shown in FIG. 12), which may be similar to those shown in thepreceding examples (such as, for example, retaining plates 900, 902,904, and 906 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10). In operation, the closedportable CCU 1202 may be secured by the spring-loaded clip 1206, andsupported by the CCU mounting block 1204. The portable CCU 1202 may bedetached from the clamshell housing, such as clamshell housing 102 shownin FIGS. 1-4, and 6, for set up and use by depressing the spring-loadedclip 1206.

Referring to FIGS. 13A, 13B, and 13C, an embodiment of a wheeled pipeinspection system 1300 in accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure is shown. In an exemplary embodiment, wheeled pipe inspectionsystem 1300 may include a cable storage drum 1302 and a pull-handle1308, which may be configured in an upright position. Pipe inspectionsystem 1300 may include an outer housing assembly, such as a frontclamshell housing element 1304 and rear clamshell housing element 1305,or a housing of a similar or equivalent configuration for providing anenclosure, which may be configured to store a push-cable for deploymentin, or retrieval from, a pipe or other object or cavity. In addition,pipe inspection system 1300 may include one or more vents 1306 and oneor more access ports in the housing assembly, a detachable wheelassembly 1320, feet or pedestal elements, and a handle assembly, such asfurther described below.

Various elements of pipe inspection system 1300 may be constructed inaccordance with details of pipe inspection system and apparatusembodiments described in, for example, U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/214,208, filed Aug. 21, 2011, entitled ASYMMETRIC DRAG FORCE BEARINGSFOR USE WITH PUSH-CABLE STORAGE DRUMS, which includes details ofembodiments of bearings and related components that may be used in asystem such as system 1300, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/704,808,filed Feb. 12, 2010, entitled PIPE INSPECTION SYSTEM WITH REPLACEABLECABLE STORAGE DRUM, which includes details of embodiments of storagedrums, housings, and related components that may be used in a systemsuch as system 1300, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/399,859, filedMar. 6, 2009, entitled PIPE INSPECTION SYSTEM WITH REPLACEABLE CABLESTORAGE DRUM, which includes details of embodiments of storage drums,housings, and related components that may be used in a system such assystem 1300, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/371,540, filed Feb. 13,2009, entitled PUSH-CABLE FOR PIPE INSPECTION SYSTEM, which includesdetails of embodiments of push-cables, storage drums for thepush-cables, housings, and related components that may be used in asystem such as system 1300, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.No. 61/152,662, filed Feb. 13, 2009, entitled HIGH PERFORMANCE PIPEINSPECTION SYSTEM, that includes various details of embodiments ofcomponents that may be used in a system such as system 1300, each ofwhich is incorporated by reference herein. Various embodiments of thepresent invention may be implemented with elements that are the same asor similar to the embodiment details disclosed in these applications,with additional wheel assemblies, housings, pull-handles, and/or otherfeatures as are described subsequently herein.

Still referring to FIG. 13A, front clamshell housing element 1304 andrear clamshell housing element 1305 may be mated or coupled to enclose apush-cable storage drum (not shown in FIG. 13A) for storing apush-cable, which may be coupled to other components such as a cameraelement, pipe clearing elements, such as cutting tools or jetting tools,and/or other components configured to be deployed on a push-cable. Thehousing elements may be coupled by a hinge mechanism, pins, latches,clamps, adhesives, and/or other attachment mechanisms. In someembodiments, one or more alternate housing assembly configurations maybe used, such as housing assemblies including additional housingelements (beyond those shown) and/or alternate element connectionmechanisms.

Cable storage drum 1302 may include a front side, corresponding to aside where a push-cable 1330 and accessories such as a camera 1318 aredeployed, and a back or rear side, corresponding to a side opposite thefront side.

A detachable wheel assembly 1320 may be mounted to the front side of thecable storage drum 1302 in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1. Inother embodiments, wheel assemblies may be mounted to the back side orto other positions on the outer housing. For example, in one embodiment,a detachable wheel assembly embodiment 1320 may be mounted to the lowerportion of the front clamshell housing 1304, using, for example, one ormore axle caps, such as a left axle cap 1326 and a right axle cap 1327.Wheel assembly 1320 may include an axle, such as axle 1324, to providesupport for one or more wheels, such as left and right wheels 1322. Theaxle 1324 may be disposed within an axle tube 800 (such as shown in FIG.8), which may be enclosed by a shield or sleeve, such as axle tubesleeve 1325, which may be disposed between the left axle cap 1326 andright axle cap 1327, for providing wear and abrasion protection tosystem 1300. The wheel assembly 1320 may be mounted using connectorssuch as screws, bolts, rods, etc., that pass through the housing viavents 1306.

A lifting mechanism, such as lifting handle 1312, may be coupled to thecable storage drum 1302, such as by using a pair of mount supports 1310or other attachment mechanisms, such as screws, adhesives, and the like.One or more cord wraps, such as right and left cord wraps 1311 as shown,may be coupled to mount supports 1310 and/or elsewhere on the outerhousing assembly for stowing a system connection cable (not shown inFIG. 13A), which may connect the pipe inspection system 1300 to a cameracontrol unit, monitor, power supply, computing system, or other deviceor system (not shown in FIGS. 13A-13C).

Pull-handle 1308 may be used for moving, positioning, raising orlowering, and/or otherwise manipulating the pipe inspection systemduring transport and use. Pull-handle 1308 may be secured between twohalves which, when fitted together around handle 1308, form apull-handle mount 1314. Pull-handle 1308 may include a hand grip, whichmay be disposed on the upper middle section of handle 1308. Alternatepull-handle embodiments of pull-handle 1308 may be a single handletubular pull-handle (such as shown in FIG. 1). In certain embodiments,the pull-handle 1308 may be configured to be foldable onto the back sideof the housing to allow different positioning depending on a particularinspection operation. For example, FIG. 13B shows the pull-handle 1308 astowed position.

Referring to FIG. 13C, the system 1300 may be tilted and the pull-handle1308 may be configured to be partially folded to provide a kickstand-like support to facilitate control, cable deployment orretraction, and/or display viewing in embodiments using a display ormonitor device.

FIG. 14 illustrates details of a wheeled pipe inspection systemembodiment 1400. Wheeled pipe inspection system embodiment 1400 mayinclude the cable storage drum assembly 1302 (FIG. 13A) configured witha stow bin assembly embodiment 1410. In an exemplary embodiment, stowbin assembly 1410 may include a stow bin compartment 1412 coupled to aspray can holder 1414 for holding paint or other disposables used duringinspection operations. Spray can holder may additionally be used to stowtools and other items. Stow bin assembly 1410 may have holes in thebottom for retaining screwdrivers or other tools, and/or may have othermounting elements for retaining items used during inspection operations.

FIG. 15 illustrates details of a wheeled pipe inspection systemembodiment 1500. Wheeled pipe inspection system embodiment 1500 mayinclude the cable storage drum assembly 1302 (FIG. 13A) configured withtwo stow bin assemblies, such as, for example, left stow bin assembly1410 and a right stow bin assembly 1510. Stow bin assembly 1510 mayinclude stow bin compartment 1412 coupled to spray can holder 1414.

FIG. 16 illustrates details of a wheeled pipe inspection systemembodiment 1600. Wheeled pipe inspection system embodiment 1600 mayinclude the cable storage drum assembly 1302 (FIG. 13A) configured withtwo stow bin assemblies, such as, for example, left stow bin assembly1410 and right stow bin assembly 1610. A Lucid battery 1615, which maybe a battery as described in co-assigned U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/534,721, filed Jun. 25, 2012, entitled MODULAR BATTERY PACKAPPARATUS, SYSTEMS, & METHODS or co-assigned U.S. Patent ApplicationSer. No. 61/663,617, filed Jun. 25, 2012, entitled MODULAR BATTERY PACKAPPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS, INCLUDING VIRAL DATA AND/OR CODETRANSFER, incorporated by reference herein, may be coupled to the stowbin assembly and/or may be attached to other elements of the pipeinspection system 1600.

FIG. 17 illustrates details of an embodiment of the stow bin assemblyembodiment 1410 (FIGS. 14-16). The stow bin 1412 may include a lid 1702hinged to the outer edge of the stow bin 1412 to cover the innercompartment. The stow bin assembly may include one or more clips orhooks, such as hooks 1717, which may be used for tightly securing thestow bin assembly to the outer housing of the cable storage drum 1302(see FIG. 13A). For example, the hooks 1717 may be snapped or hookedonto one of the vents 1306 (FIG. 13A) formed in the outer housing of thecable storage drum 1302.

FIG. 18 is an exploded view of the stow bin assembly embodiment 1410(FIG. 14). Stow bin assembly 1410 may include a stow bin shell 1832coupled with a stow bin lid 1702. Stow bin lid 1702 may swing open andclosed along a hinge pin 1834 in the hinge formed (not shown in FIG. 18)between stow bin shell 1832 and stow bin lid 1702 when mated together. Ahinged cover pouch 1804 may be disposed beneath the lid 1702 and securedby retainer 1806 and one or more fasteners, such as screws 1807 toprovide a secondary compartment within stow bin 1412 for storingancillary items, such as business cards or memory cards, and the like.Stow bin assembly 1410 may also include a latch shroud 1812, which maybe mounted inside the stow bin 1412 with one or more fasteners, such asscrews 1811. Stow bin assembly 1410 may also include a pair of nestedpress tabs, such as press tab socket 1816 and a press tab ball 1818,which may be coupled to one another to form a button. In assembly, therounded button formed by the nested press tabs 1816 and 1818 may beretained in a slot of the latch shroud 1812. The opposite end of eachtab 1816 and 1818 may be set against a shoulder of a slide pin, such asa pair of slide pins 1826. One or more springs, such as coil springs1824 hold the slide pins 1826 in the inward, locked position. When thebutton is pressed downward, the tabs exert an outward force to retractthe slide pins 1826 from their locked position.

Still referring to FIG. 18, spray can holster 1414 (FIGS. 14-17) may becoupled to the side of stow bin shell 1832 with one or more fasteners,such as screws 1822. Spray can holster 1414 may include a can holderinsert 1821 coupled with a magnet 1819 to provide additional stabilityand reduced vibration and or movement when a spray can made with aconductive material, such as metal, is placed into the spray can holster1414. Spray can holster 1414 may optionally be used to stow tools andother objects used for a pipe inspection. An outside cover 1814 may becoupled to one side of stow bin shell 1832 with one or more fasteners,such as screws 1815. A stow tray 1828 and tray pad 1852 may be stackedand secured inside the bottom of stow bin shell 1832 with one or morefasteners, such as screws 1845.

An O-ring, such as elastomer O-ring 1840, may include a loop at eachend, such as loops 1842. Elastomer O-ring may be fed through a pair ofholes 1836 formed in the stow bin shell 1832, and loops 1842 may besecured with a pair of grommets 1838. Hooks 1717 (FIG. 17) may each befastened to one or more loops 1842.

FIG. 19 is a top view of the stow bin assembly embodiment 1410 (FIG.14). In this view, the assembly of the hook 1717 (FIGS. 17 and 18) andloop 1842 (FIG. 18) on O-ring 1840 (not shown in FIG. 19) is shown. Thehinged lid 1702 (FIGS. 17 and 18) and the nestled magnet 1819 (FIG. 18)disposed in spray can holster 1414 is also shown in greater detail.

Referring to FIG. 20, a section view of the stow bin assembly embodiment1410 (FIGS. 14-19) taken through line 20-20 of FIG. 19, illustratesadditional details. In an exemplary embodiment, stow bin assembly 1410may include elements, such as the outside cover 1814 (FIG. 18), whichmay include a lip element 2005 for latching onto stow bin 1410 (FIGS.14-19). Screws 1815 (FIG. 18) may be used to further secure outsidecover 1814 (FIG. 18) to stow bin 1410 (FIGS. 14-19). Spray can holster1414 may include a lip element 2015 for latching onto the stow bin 1410(FIGS. 14-19). Screws 1822 (FIG. 18) may be used to further secure spraycan holster 1414 (FIG. 18) to stow bin 1410 (FIGS. 14-19).

In an exemplary embodiment, stow bin assembly 1410 mounts to a lug oreyelet (not shown in FIG. 20) on the housing of the cable storage drum1302 (FIGS. 13A-16). One or more springs 1824 hold the pair of slidepins 1826 in the inward, locked position, as shown. Two nested presstabs, such as press tab socket 1816 and press tab ball 1818 form arounded button. The rounded button of the tabs 1816 and 1818 may beretained in a slot of the latch shroud 1812, which covers the latchingmechanism. The opposite end of tabs 1816 and 1818 may be set against ashoulder of each of the slide pins 1826 (FIG. 18). When the roundedbutton is pressed downward, the tabs 1816 and 1818 exert an outwardforce to retract the slide pins 1826 (FIG. 18) from their lockedposition.

The stow bin assembly 1410 may be installed on the outer housing of thecable storage drum 1310 (FIGS. 13A-16) by pressing the button to retractthe slide pins 1826 (FIG. 18) while setting the stow bin 1412 over thelug (not shown) disposed on the outer housing of the cable storage drum1302 (FIGS. 13A-16). When the button is released, the slide pins 1826(FIG. 18) engage the lug (not shown in FIG. 20) and hold the stow bin1412 to the outer housing of the cable storage drum 1302 (FIGS. 13A-16).The slide pins 1824 (FIG. 18) may include angled, ramped ends thatoptionally cause them to retract when the stow bin 1412 is forciblypressed against the mounting lug (not shown in FIG. 20). A channel inthe interfacing surface (not shown) of the stow bin 1412 closely engagesprotruding features of the outer housing of the cable storage drum 1302(FIGS. 13A-16).

Additional mounting stability may be provided by stretching theelastomer O-ring 1840, which may include loops 1842, such that the hooks1717 engage the vents 1306 (FIGS. 13A-13C) and/or slots disposed on theouter housing of the cable storage drum 1302 (FIGS. 13A-16). To removethe stow bin 1410 (FIGS. 14-19), the hooks 1717 (FIGS. 17-19) may bedisengaged, and the button may be pressed to retract the slide pins 1826(FIG. 18) from the mounting lug (not shown in FIG. 10) on the outerhousing of the cable storage drum 1302 (FIGS. 13A-16).

FIG. 21 illustrates details of an alternate embodiment stow bin assembly1610 (FIG. 16). For example, in certain embodiments, stow bin assemblymay include a battery shoe, such as a Lucid battery shoe 2102 coupled tostow bin shell 1832 (FIG. 18). A battery, such as Lucid battery 1615(FIG. 16) may be mounted to Lucid shoe 2102. Lucid battery 1615 (FIG.16) may be used to provide power to pipe inspection system 1300 (FIGS.13A-13C) and/or associated battery usage data, or may be stowed forlater use. In some embodiments, battery data may be provided to awireless transmission module, such as a WiFi or other wireless modulewithin the pipe inspection system, such as within the hub area. A wiredbattery data connection may be provided through a data cable andslip-ring assembly, such as slip-ring assembly 214 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 22 is an exploded view of the alternate embodiment stow binassembly 1610 of FIG. 21. Stow bin assembly 1610 may include a stow binshell 1832 coupled with a stow bin lid 1702. Stow bin lid 1702 may swingopen and closed along a hinge pin 1834 in the hinge formed (not shown inFIG. 22) between stow bin shell 1832 and stow bin lid 1702 when matedtogether. A hinged cover pouch 1804 may be disposed beneath the lid 1702and secured by retainer 1806 and one or more fasteners, such as screws1807 to provide a secondary compartment within stow bin 1412 for storingancillary items, such as business cards or memory cards, and the like.

Stow bin assembly 1610 may also include a latch shroud, which may bemounted inside the stow bin 1412 with one or more fasteners, such asscrews 1811. Stow bin assembly 1410 may also include a pair of nestedpress tabs, such as press tab socket 1816 and a press tab ball 1818,which may be coupled to one another to form a button. In assembly, therounded button formed by the nested press tabs 1816 and 1818 may beretained in a slot of the latch shroud 1812. The opposite end of eachtab 1816 and 1818 may be set against a shoulder of a slide pin, such asa pair of slide pins 1826. One or more springs, such as coil springs1824 hold the slide pins 1826 in the inward, locked position. When thebutton is pressed downward, the tabs exert an outward force to retractthe slide pins 1826 from their locked position.

A Lucid battery shoe 2102 (FIG. 21) may be coupled to stow bin 1412 withone or more elements. The battery shoe and associated Lucid battery andrelated components may be as described in co-assigned U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/534,721, filed Jun. 25, 2012, entitled MODULARBATTERY PACK APPARATUS, SYSTEMS, & METHODS and U.S. Patent ApplicationSer. No. 61/663,617, filed Jun. 25, 2012, entitled MODULAR BATTERY PACKAPPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS, INCLUDING VIRAL DATA AND/OR CODETRANSFER which are incorporated by reference herein. For example, Lucidbattery shoe 2102 (FIG. 21) may be mounted to an inside cover 2204,which may be mounted inside stow bin 1412. One or more fasteners, suchas screws 2206, may be used to secure the Lucid shoe 2102 (FIG. 21) tothe stow bin 1412, supported by inside cover 2204 A rechargeablebattery, such as Lucid battery 1615 (FIGS. 16 and 21) may be mated withLucid battery shoe 2102 (FIG. 21). The Lucid battery shoe 2102 may alsobe mounted in other locations on the portable inspection system inalternate embodiments.

An outside cover 1814 may be coupled to one side of stow bin shell 1832with one or more fasteners, such as screws 1815. A stow tray 1828 andtray pad 1852 may be stacked and secured inside the bottom of stow binshell 1832 with one or more fasteners, such as screws 1845. An O-ring,such as elastomer O-ring 1840, may include a loop at each end, such asloops 1842. Elastomer O-ring may be fed through a pair of holes 1836formed in the stow bin shell 1832, and loops 1842 may be secured with apair of grommets 1838. Hooks 1717 (FIG. 17) may each be fastened to oneor more loops 1842.

FIG. 23 illustrates a wheeled pipe inspection system embodiment 2300which may include a portable camera control unit 2310 configured with acable storage drum 1302. For example, a portable CCU 2310, which mayinclude a built-in monitor or display device, such as an LCD panel (notshown), may be removably attached to the external surface of the rearcable storage drum 1302 with a mounting element, such as pull-handlemount 1314 (FIGS. 13A-13C). For example, portable CCU 2310 may be hungonto the top of handle mount 1314 (FIGS. 13A-13C). The CCU 2310 and/orother inspection system components may be powered by a Lucid battery andassociated shoe and related components such as described previouslyherein.

FIG. 24 illustrates a user performing a pipe inspection with a portablepipe inspection system, which may include a cable storage drum 2410. Inan exemplary embodiment, cable storage drum 2410 may include aninspection camera 2420 (or other inspection camera device) attached tothe end of a push-cable 2430. A user 2440 may insert the push cable2430, which may be attached or integral to inspection camera 2420, intoa pipe 2450. A wireless local area network connection may be establishedbetween the cable storage drum 2410 and an electronic computing device2460 (e.g., a tablet, notebook computer, smart phone, etc.) using avariety of wireless technologies such as, for example, WLAN andBluetooth. The computing device 2460 may then be used to view data fromand control aspects of the inspection camera 2420.

FIGS. 25A and 25B illustrate details of the pipe inspection systemembodiment of FIG. 24. For example, the cable storage drum 2410 mayinclude a front shell half 2504 and a back shell half 2505. A handle,such as handle 2518, may be disposed on top of the cable storage drum2410. A wired connector 2544 may optionally be included to connect acomputing device in accordance with various aspects and featuresdisclosed herein. For example, the wired connector 2544 may allow acomputing device to connect to a local area network (LAN) connectionhosted by the cable storage drum 2410, or may alternatively allow thecable storage drum 2410 to connect to a LAN hosted by the computingdevice. The LAN may be an Ethernet connection or other wired networkconnection device.

The wired connector 2544 may also permit connection of a traditionalcamera control unit (not shown) to the cable storage drum 2410. Variousaspects and details regarding camera control units as used with pipeinspection systems are described in co-assigned patent applications,including, for example, U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/607,510,entitled DUAL SENSED LOCATING SYSTEMS & METHODS, filed Mar. 6, 2012;U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/602,065, entitled DOCKABLE TRIPODALCAMERA CONTROL UNIT, filed on Feb. 22, 2012; U.S. Patent ApplicationSer. No. 61/430,932, entitled PORTABLE CAMERA CONTROLLER PLATFORM FORUSE WITH PIPE INSPECTION SYSTEM, filed on Jan. 7, 2011; and U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/152,662, entitled HIGHPERFORMANCE PIPE INSPECTION SYSTEM, filed Feb. 13, 2009. The content ofeach of these applications is hereby incorporated by reference herein inits entirety for all purposes.

A wheel assembly 2522 may be located at the bottom of the cable storagedrum 2410 to facilitate transport. A central hub plate 2526 may besecured to the sides of the cable storage drum 2410 that largely concealsome or all of the push-cable 2430 and the inspection camera 2420 whenin use or not in use. One or more cable feed holes 2532 may be formedthrough the central hub plate 2526 such that, when the cable storagedrum 2410 is in use, may allow the push-cable 2430 and the inspectioncamera 2420 to pass through. A camera stowage clip 2534 may be formed onthe surface of the central hub plate 2526 such that an inspection cameramay be stored under the camera stowage clip 2534 when not in use.

The cable storage drum 2410 may also include a wireless transceivermodule 2540 enabled to transmit and receive signals via wireless LANssuch as WiFi, or other wireless connections such as Bluetooth, cellulardata connections, or other wireless data communication technology. Insome embodiments, a wired transceiver module (e.g., in the alternativeto the wired connector 2544) may replace or be used in conjunction withthe wireless transceiver module 2540 to establish a wired local areanetwork connection between one or more computing devices and a smartcable storage drum such as the cable storage drum 2410. A USB port 2542or other suitable wired input/output port may also be included to permitadditional data exchange.

The cable storage drum 2410 may include one or more stow bins, such aleft stow bin 2512 and a right stow bin 2513, to serve as a connectorfor one or more batteries, such as Lucid batteries 2514 for providingelectrical power to the cable storage drum 2410. A lid on top of stowbins 2512 and 2513 may provide access to storage for tools, extrabatteries, or other job-related items within the stow bins 2512 and2513. Various aspects and details regarding Lucid batteries, which maybe used with pipe inspection systems are described in co-assigned patentapplications, including, for example U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/532,721, entitled MODULAR BATTERY PACK APPARATUS, SYSTEMS, ANDMETHODS, filed Jun. 25, 2012, and U.S. Patent Application Ser. No.61/663,617, entitled MODULAR BATTERY PACK APPARATUS, SYSTEMS, ANDMETHODS, INCLUDING VIRAL DATA AND/OR CODE TRANSFER, filed Jun. 25, 2012,the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. In someembodiments, different types of batteries and/or a wired connection tothe electrical grid may be used to provide power to a cable storagedrum, such as cable storage drum 2410.

FIG. 26 illustrates details of an alternate embodiment cable storagedrum 2610 configured with a user interface device. For example, cablestorage drum 2610 may include a slip-ring hub 2650 that may be used tohouse various electronics and controls. For example, a small keypad 2654and USB or other communication port 2652 may be integrated with theslip-ring hub 2650. The slip-ring hub 2650 may house a networktransceiver (e.g., a WLAN transceiver), a compressor, and othercomponents.

FIG. 27 illustrates details of an embodiment of a control interface 2700for a computing device, such as the computing device 2460 of FIG. 24. Asshown, the control interface 2700 may include a viewing area 2702 forviewing video and/or other data. The control interface 2700 may alsoinclude various on-screen controls and menu options that are selectableby a user operating a touchscreen display input, mouse, keyboard orother mechanisms for selecting a presented control/menu option.

Examples of controls and menu options may include: a Photo Button 2706which, when selected, causes the inspection camera 2420 (FIG. 24) tocapture a snapshot of the present camera view; a Video Button 2712which, when selected, may start and stop video recording at theinspection camera 2420 (FIG. 24); and an Auto-logging Button 2716 which,when selected, may start and stop the capture of a series of timed stillimages from the inspection camera 2420 (FIG. 24). Upon activation of theAuto-logging Button 2716, auto-log mode may be turned on at the drum2410 (FIG. 24), and audio inputted by the user may also be captured.

Furthermore, the control interface 2700 may include: a Photo Tag Button2704, which may trigger the inspection camera 2420 (FIG. 24) to capturea snapshot of the camera view and then open an editing screen area forenabling annotation of the photo with text and/or audio comments by auser; a Job Review Button 2714, which may open a review screen area forreviewing captured video, snapshots, and/or audio elements, and/or forallowing notation to be added to video; and a Job Manager Button 2718,which may open a menu that permits the user to generate a report, selectan existing report file to view from a listing of existing files (e.g.,stored locally or at an external database), and/or eject or otherwisedisconnect a device from the cable storage drum 2410 (FIG. 24), such asfor example, a USB device from the USB port 2542 (FIG. 25A).

The control interface 2700 may also include: an LED Brightness Button2722, which may provide for an adjustment of the level of illuminationfrom LEDs on the inspection camera; and a Zero Button 2724, which mayallow a user to reset the zero-point of a cable distance counter on thesmart cable storage drum or to cancel the use of a relative zero point.

A series of Arrow Buttons 2730 may also be included and be used totraverse menus and screens shown on the display of the computing device2460 (FIG. 24). A Select Button 2732 may be used to activate a selectionin such a menu. Other controls include: a Menu Button 2726, whichprovides configuration choices to a user; a Sonde Button 2728, which maystart and stop operation of a sonde transmitter; a Microphone Button2742, which may activate audio recording for use in recordingdescriptive commentary; an Image Flip Button 2744, which may be used toflip the vertical orientation of the screen image while mirroring thescreen image horizontally for use when the camera has been rotatedwithin a pipe; and a Power Button 2746, which may be used to activatethe inspection camera 2420 (FIG. 24) and/or other inspection devices,for instance, from a sleeping state after a period of non-use.

Along with the various controls, a series of indicators may appearon-screen to notify a user of various parameters and statuses associatedwith the inspection camera 2420 (FIG. 24) and/or other components of thecable storage drum 2410 (FIG. 24). These indicators may include: a VideoIndicator 2713, which may be located under the Video Button 2712, andmay be used to indicate the state of video capture in progress orcaptured video under processing; an Auto-log Indicator 2717, which maybe located under the Auto-logging Button 2716, and may be used toindicate that auto-logging is in progress; a Microphone Indicator 2743,which may be located under the Microphone Button 2742, and may be usedto indicate when audio recording is in progress; and a Sonde Indicator2729, which may be located under the Sonde Button 2728, and may be usedto indicate the state of a Sonde when transmitting or not transmitting.Other functions and features may be incorporated into the user interfaceto permit control of other inspection devices.

One of skill in the art will appreciate various methods for receivinguser control input, including user control inputs via voice-activation.Similarly, other kinds of switching devices may be used than thosedescribed herein while keeping within both the spirit and scope of theinvention.

FIG. 28 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a process 2800 forusing a computing device (e.g., the computing device 2460 of FIG. 24) toview content from a smart cable storage drum, and to control certainaspects of the smart cable storage drum (e.g., the cable storage drum2410 of FIG. 24). At stage 2810, the computing device may connect to alocal area network associated with the cable storage drum (e.g., via aWLAN hotspot). At stage 2820, the computing device may access anddownload a webpage configured to present information, such as, forexample, video or other visual representation, captured by an inspectioncamera (e.g., the inspection camera 2420 of FIG. 24) inside a pipe orother hard-to-access area. At stage 2830, any recorded content may bereceived from the inspection camera and made available for viewing via asuitable web service. At stage 2840, the webpage from stage 2820 mayprovide a control interface. Activation of one or more controls of thecontrol interface may control certain operations of the inspectioncamera system. At a stage 2850, the computing device may interact withthe inspection camera system through the web service.

FIG. 29 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a process 2900 forusing a computing device (e.g., the computing device 2460 of FIG. 24) toview content from a smart cable storage drum, and to control certainaspects of the smart cable storage drum (e.g., the cable storage drum2410 of FIG. 24). At stage 2910, the computing device may connect to alocal area network associated with the cable storage drum (e.g., via aWLAN hotspot). At stage 2920, the computing device may activate aninstallable software application configured to present information, suchas, for example, video or other visual representation, captured by aninspection camera (e.g., the inspection camera 2420 of FIG. 24) inside apipe or other hard-to-access area. At stage 2930, any recorded contentmay be received from the inspection camera (e.g., via a suitable webservice or the network) and made available by the software applicationfor viewing. At stage 2940, the software application from stage 2920 mayprovide a control interface. Activation of certain controls of thecontrol interface may control certain operations of the inspectioncamera system. At stage 2950, the computing device may interact with theinspection camera system through the web service or network.

One of skill in the art will appreciate various methods for receivinguser control input, including user control inputs via voice-activation.Similarly, other kinds of switching devices may be used than thosedescribed herein while keeping within both the spirit and scope of theinvention.

FIG. 28 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a process 2800 forusing a computing device (e.g., the computing device 2460 of FIG. 1) toview content from a smart cable storage drum, and to control certainaspects of the smart cable storage drum (e.g., the cable storage drum2410 of FIG. 24). At stage 2810, the computing device may connect to alocal area network associated with the cable storage drum (e.g., via aWLAN hotspot). At stage 2820, the computing device may access anddownload a webpage configured to present information, such as, forexample, video or other visual representation, captured by an inspectioncamera (e.g., the inspection camera 2420 of FIG. 24) inside a pipe orother hard-to-access area. At stage 2830, any recorded content may bereceived from the inspection camera and made available for viewing via asuitable web service. At stage 2840, the webpage from stage 2820 mayprovide a control interface. Activation of one or more controls of thecontrol interface may control certain operations of the inspectioncamera system. At a stage 2850, the computing device may interact withthe inspection camera system through the web service.

FIG. 29 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a process 2900 forusing a computing device (e.g., the computing device 2460 of FIG. 1) toview content from a smart cable storage drum, and to control certainaspects of the smart cable storage drum (e.g., the cable storage drum2410 of FIG. 24). At stage 2910, the computing device may connect to alocal area network associated with the cable storage drum (e.g., via aWLAN hotspot). At stage 2920, the computing device may activate aninstallable software application configured to present information, suchas, for example, video or other visual representation, captured by aninspection camera (e.g., the inspection camera 2420 of FIG. 24) inside apipe or other hard-to-access area. At stage 2930, any recorded contentmay be received from the inspection camera (e.g., via a suitable webservice or the network) and made available by the software applicationfor viewing. At stage 2940, the software application from stage 2820 mayprovide a control interface. Activation of certain controls of thecontrol interface may control certain operations of the inspectioncamera system. At stage 2950, the computing device may interact with theinspection camera system through the web service or network.

FIGS. 28 and 29 illustrate flow charts describing two exemplaryprocesses for enabling a computing device to view content from a smartcable storage drum, and to control certain aspects of a smart cablestorage drum. One of skill in the art will appreciate variousalternative processes for enabling such a computing device to viewcontent from various resources in a system, including one or moreinspection devices, other computing devices, and remote databases.Having access to content from various system resources enables a user ofthe computing device to enrich content received from an inspectiondevice, correlate content from multiple resources, and better coordinatethe efforts of one or more users in the system. Moreover, having accessto content using one or more networks permits one or more users on thenetwork(s) to view, manipulate, control the capture of, and manage thedistribution of content from various locations and at various times.

For example, an electronic computing device, such as a personalcomputer, tablet device, smart phone, or other computing device, mayaccess inspection data from a cable storage drum via a wired or wirelessnetwork (e.g., LAN, WLAN, cellular network, Internet, etc.), which mayinclude a network hub disposed on or within the portable inspectiondevice, such as within a hub of the cable storage drum or elsewhere inthe cable storage drum. The computing device may also access relateddata from another system resource (e.g., another cable storage drum orinspection device, another computing device, or a backend database).Similarly, the cable storage drum may access the related data from thesame resources. The computing device may then display the inspectiondata and/or the related data. A user at the computing device may alsoedit the displayed data and/or create data, and may distribute thoseedits and create data to the other resources in the system. The user mayalso control, over the network, any of the networked resources.Similarly, other users may also control any of the networked resources.

FIG. 30 illustrates details of an embodiment 3000 of a data transfersystem between a battery and battery shoe disposed on or within theportable inspection system and a wireless transceiver disposed therein,such as in the hub or elsewhere in the inspection system. A battery3050, which may be a standard rechargeable or single use battery or, inan exemplary embodiment, an intelligent or Lucid rechargeable batterysuch as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/532,721,entitled MODULAR BATTERY PACK APPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS, filedJun. 25, 2012, and U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/663,617, entitledMODULAR BATTERY PACK APPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS, INCLUDING VIRALDATA AND/OR CODE TRANSFER, filed Jun. 25, 2012, may be coupled to abattery dock or shoe 3060 or other battery connection element. Thebattery may supply power to the portable inspection device through theshoe to power electronics, video cameras, such as camera 3010, wired orwireless transceivers, such as transceiver 3030, as well as otherelements, such as a camera control unit (CCU) 3070, other wirelessdevices either in the portable inspection system or in other electroniccomputing devices, such as a second wireless transceiver 3020 as shownconnected to the CCU 3070, and/or other components of the portableinspection system not shown in FIG. 30. In an exemplary embodiment, thewireless transceiver 3030 is a WiFi or other wireless LAN hub, node, orbase station and is positioned in the cable storage drum, such as insidethe cable storage drum hub, with the slip-ring connector 3067 used toprovide electrical power and data signaling to the hub.

In operation, battery data may be provided from the battery 3050 throughconnection 3053 to the battery shoe 3060. The data may be passeddirectly through the shoe or may be modified by the shoe 3060 or otherdata format converter elements (not shown in FIG. 30) to reformat,change physical layer protocols, and the like, before being transferredthrough connection 3063 from the battery shoe 3060 to the wirelesstransceiver 3030 via an electrical connection (or optionally throughother connections such as optical connections and/or wirelessconnections in alternate embodiments). Power may be supplied from thebattery 3050 via power connection 3051 to shoe 3060, and then throughelectrical power connection 3061. Power may be further provided tocamera 3010 and/or other devices through connection 3061 (not shown).

A slip-ring connector 3067 may be used in exemplary embodiments toprovide power to the transceiver 3030 and/or camera 3010 through the hubwhile allowing the hub to rotate relative to the housing, however, inother embodiments alternate data connection mechanisms or direct wiringmay be used between the battery shoe and transceiver. In an exemplaryembodiment, a three wire connection 3065 as shown may be used totransfer both data and power between the battery shoe 3060 andtransceiver 3030. However, other numbers of conductors may be used invarious embodiment to provide either serial or parallel data as well asDC power (e.g., as positive and negative leads). Likewise, in anexemplary embodiment the slip-ring may be a three conductor slip-ringconnector, but in alternate embodiments may include more than threeconnection paths depending on the provided power and data signaling(e.g., in embodiments with more than one voltage power supply,multi-conductor data signaling, etc.).

Image, audio, and/or video data and related information may betransferred from the camera 3010 to the wireless transceiver 3030. Thevideo may be compressed in the camera in a video compression module (notshown) to compressed formats such as MPEG4, H.264, and the like toreduce required transmission bandwidth. Video, audio, images, batterydata, and/or other data or information may be transmitted wirelessly viaconnection 3021 from transceiver 3030 to another wireless node, such asto optional wireless transceiver module 3020 or to other wireless nodes,such as nodes on other external electronic computing devices 3080 suchas portable or notebook computers, tablets, smart phones, and the like.In an exemplary embodiment, the CCU 3070 as shown may be replaced byfunctionality implemented on the external electronic computing device3080, which may communicate wirelessly with transceiver 3030 to send andreceive data, video, images, audio, control signaling, battery statusand charge information, and the like. In embodiments where a CCU such asCCU 3070 is used, the CCU may receive battery data directly from thedock/shoe 3060 (connection not shown) and/or may receive data wirelesslyfrom transceiver 3030 through transceiver 3020 or via other wired orwireless connections (not shown).

A data connection 3071 may be included between transceiver module 3020and CCU 3070, which may be used to provide video data to a display,storage, and/or wired or wireless transmitter on the CCU for providingthe data to external electronic computing devices and/or CCU 3070. Theexternal computing device 3080 and/or CCU 3070, may also provide adisplay, such as on the LCD or other display device, of the receivedvideo, and may further provide a display of battery data or informationprovided from transceiver 3030, as well as other data or informationgenerated by the portable inspection system. Audio from the camera 3010,and/or other audible outputs, such as battery status or charge levelinformation, or other system information, may be provided by a speakeror headphone output of the CCU 3070 and/or external computing device3080.

FIGS. 31-34 illustrate details of example embodiments of data transfersystems as may be used with various combinations of battery types (e.g.,intelligent or non-intelligent or “dumb” batteries and correspondingbattery docks/shoes). For example, FIG. 31 illustrates an embodiment3100 of a three wire connection 3165 between a non-intelligent shoe 3160having a portable intelligent battery 3050 connected to it. In thiscase, battery data is transferred from connection 3153 directly throughthe shoe (if a direct connection is available in the particular shoe inuse) and then transferred, along with DC power via connections 3151 and3161 to the optional slip-ring connection 3267, which may correspondwith slip ring 3167 of FIG. 30 (or data may be transferred directly to atransceiver and/or other connected devices if no slip-ring is used).Embodiment 3100 assumes that the transceiver is configured to receivebattery data in the format and protocol of the battery (e.g., a Lucidenabled or other intelligent battery data format). The other half of theslip ring connector 3167 may provide further connections of power anddata to an intelligent (e.g., Lucid) compatible device) 3180, which maybe a compatible wireless node such as transceiver 3030, and/or othercomponents such as camera or other electronics or powered elements (notshown). Slip-ring connector 3167 may be a three conductor connector inan exemplary embodiment, but other connector types and configurationswith different numbers of conductors may be used in various embodiments.

FIG. 32 illustrates an alternate embodiment 3200 of a three wireconnection 3265 between a non-intelligent shoe 3160 having a portableintelligent battery 3050 connected to it. In this case, a serialinterface module 3270, which is a protocol converter configured toconvert battery data in a format such as the “Lucid” battery formatdescribed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/532,721, entitledMODULAR BATTERY PACK APPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS, filed Jun. 25,2012, and U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/663,617, entitled MODULARBATTERY PACK APPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS, INCLUDING VIRAL DATAAND/OR CODE TRANSFER, filed Jun. 25, 2012, to a format compatible with astandard input of the wireless transceiver, such as an I²C, SPI, CAN, orother serial or parallel interface. In this case, battery data istransferred from connection 3153, along with DC power via connections3261 to the optional slip-ring connection 3267, which may correspondwith slip ring 3167 of FIG. 30 (or data may be transferred directly to adevice 3380, such as a camera or transceiver and/or other connecteddevices if no slip-ring is used). Converter 3270 may be placed on theother side of slip-ring connector 3167 in alternate embodiments.

Power may be passed directly through the converter 3270 and/or may bemodified and provided via power connection 3261. The other half of theslip ring connector 3267 may provide further connections of power anddata to an intelligent (e.g., Lucid compatible device) 3280, which maybe a compatible wireless node such as transceiver 3030, and/or othercomponents such as camera or other electronics or powered elements (notshown). Slip-ring connector 3267 may be a three conductor connector inan exemplary embodiment, but other connector types and configurationswith different numbers of conductors may be used in various embodiments.

FIG. 33 illustrates another embodiment 3300 of a three wire connection3365 between an intelligent shoe 3360 having a portable intelligentbattery 3050 connected to it. This configuration is similar to that ofFIG. 31, except that the shoe 3360 is an intelligent shoe and is capableof providing additional functionality, such as described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/532,721, entitled MODULAR BATTERY PACKAPPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS, filed Jun. 25, 2012, and U.S. PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/663,617, entitled MODULAR BATTERY PACKAPPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS, INCLUDING VIRAL DATA AND/OR CODETRANSFER, filed Jun. 25, 2012, over that of a non-intelligent or “dumbshoe.” In this case, battery data is provide to the shoe 3360 throughbattery connection (e.g., contacts on battery and shoe) 3153. Data maythen be provided via connection 3353 from the shoe, along with DC powervia connections 3151 and 3361 to the optional slip-ring connection 3367(or directly to a transceiver and/or other connected devices if no slipring is used). The other half of the slip ring connector 3367 mayprovide further connections of power and data to an intelligent (e.g.,Lucid compatible device) 3380, which may be a compatible wireless nodesuch as transceiver 3030, and/or other components such as camera orother electronics or powered elements (not shown). Slip-ring connector3367 may be a three conductor connector in an exemplary embodiment, butother connector types and configurations with different numbers ofconductors may be used in various embodiments.

FIG. 34 illustrates yet another alternate embodiment 3400 of a threewire connection 3465 between an intelligent shoe 3460 (which may be sameas shoe 3360) having a portable intelligent battery 3050 connected toit. In this case, a serial interface module 3470, which is a protocolconverter configured to convert battery data in a format such as the“Lucid” battery format described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/532,721, entitled MODULAR BATTERY PACK APPARATUS, SYSTEMS, ANDMETHODS, filed Jun. 25, 2012, and U.S. Patent Application Ser. No.61/663,617, entitled MODULAR BATTERY PACK APPARATUS, SYSTEMS, ANDMETHODS, INCLUDING VIRAL DATA AND/OR CODE TRANSFER, filed Jun. 25, 2012,to a format compatible with a standard input of the wirelesstransceiver, such as an I²C, SPI, CAN, or other serial or parallelinterface. In this case, battery data is transferred from connection3453, along with DC power via connections 3461 to the optional slip-ringconnection 3467, which may correspond with slip ring 3167 of FIG. 30 (ordata may be transferred directly to a transceiver and/or other connecteddevices if no slip-ring is used). Converter 3470 may be placed on theother side of slip-ring connector 3467 in alternate embodiments.

Power may be passed directly through the converter 3470 and/or may bemodified and provided via power connection 3461. The other half of theslip ring connector 3467 may provide further connections of power anddata to an intelligent (e.g., Lucid compatible device) 3480, which maybe a compatible wireless node such as transceiver 3030, and/or othercomponents such as camera or other electronics or powered elements (notshown). Slip-ring connector 3467 may be a three conductor connector inan exemplary embodiment, but other connector types and configurationswith different numbers of conductors may be used in various embodiments.

Battery data may be transferred from connection 3153 to connection 3353to converter 3470, and then provided via connection 3453 to the slipring and device 3480 (e.g., transceiver, camera, etc.).

Some embodiments have been described as providing a wireless hotspot orother suitable network node at the cable storage drum to which one ormore external computers connect, therefore, it is contemplated that sucha network node be provided (i.e., hosted) at one or more of the externalcomputers, and that the cable storage drum (or inspection device) mayconnect to that node to carry out any number of the functions describedherein.

In addition to the previously described embodiments of the wheeled pipeinspection system and corresponding components and elements,modifications and adaptations thereof will be apparent to personsskilled in the art.

Various other changes, additions, and/or alterations may be used invarious embodiments. Other configurations for stowing a pull-handle mayalso be used in addition to or in place of the stowage elementembodiments described herein.

In some configurations, the mechanism, elements, apparatus, or systemsdescribed herein may include means for implementing features orproviding functions described herein. In one aspect, the aforementionedmeans may be a mechanism for attaching various accessories andcomponents to a pipe inspection system.

The various illustrative functions and circuits described in connectionwith the embodiments disclosed herein with respect to wirelesstransmitters, receivers, battery monitoring functions, video and datatransmission and signal processing, and/or other power supply,electronics, or signal processing functions may be implemented orperformed in one or more processing elements including a general purposeprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) orother programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic,discrete hardware components, memory devices, or any combination thereofdesigned to perform the functions described herein. A general purposeprocessor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processormay be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or statemachine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination ofcomputing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, aplurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunctionwith a DSP core, memory devices, or any other such configuration.

The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided toenable any person skilled in the art to make or use the presentdisclosure. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles definedherein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from thespirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, the scope of the presentdisclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown hereinbut is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principlesand novel aspects and features disclosed herein.

The presently claimed invention is not intended to be limited to theaspects shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistentwith the specification and drawings, wherein reference to an element inthe singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unlessspecifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” Unless specificallystated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. A phrasereferring to “at least one of” a list of items refers to any combinationof those items, including single members. As an example, “at least oneof: a, b, or c” is intended to cover: a; b; c; a and b; a and c; b andc; and a, b and c.

The previous description of the disclosed aspects is provided to enableany person skilled in the art to make or use the present disclosure.Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may beapplied to other aspects without departing from the spirit or scope ofthe disclosure. Thus, the presently claimed invention is not intended tobe limited to the aspects shown herein but is to be accorded the widestscope consistent with appended Claims and their equivalents.

We claim:
 1. An intelligent cable storage drum system for use in a pipeinspection system, comprising: a cable storage drum; a video push-cableremovably disposed on the cable storage drum, the video push-cablehaving a proximal end and a distal end; a video camera head having acamera output for providing analog or digital images or video outputsignals; and a transceiver module positioned within the cable storagedrum operatively coupled to the camera output for receiving the analogor digital images or video output signals and sending the receivedsignals to a remote receiver, wherein the transceiver module is at leastone of a WiFi or LAN hub, node, or base station.
 2. The system of claim1, wherein the camera provides a digital video output signal and thetransceiver sends the digital video output signal to the remotereceiver.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the digital video outputsignal is sent using QAM modulation on a wired communications channeldisposed in the video push-cable.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein thecamera provides an analog video output signal and the transceiverconverts the analog digital video signal to digital and sends thedigital video signal to the remote receiver.
 5. The system of claim 1,wherein the cable storage drum includes a slip-ring assembly.
 6. Amethod of providing digital video signals in a pipe inspection system,comprising: generating, in a video camera head operatively coupled to avideo push-cable, a digital video signal; providing the digital videosignal to a digital transceiver, wherein the transceiver is at least oneof a WiFi or LAN hub, node, or base station; modulating, in the digitaltransceiver, the digital video signal using QAM modulation; coupling theQAM modulated digital video signal to a wired conductor disposed in thevideo push-cable; receiving the QAM modulated digital video signal fromthe video push-cable at a camera control unit (CCU); demodulating andextracting the digital video signal in the CCU; and storing theextracted digital video signal in a non-transitory memory of the CCU. 7.The method of claim 6, further comprising sending the extracted digitalvideo signal to a remote computing device.
 8. The method of claim 7,wherein the remote computing device is a cellular phone or tabletdevice.
 9. The system of claim 5, wherein power is provided to thetransceiver and the video camera through the slip-ring assembly.
 10. Thesystem of claim 9, wherein the power is provided through the slip ringfrom a battery pack or module.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein thebattery pack or module is configured with one or more intelligentbatteries.
 12. The system of claim 10, further comprising a wheelassembly mechanically coupled to the cable storage drum.
 13. The systemof claim 12, further comprising a vertical pull handle assemblyoperatively coupled to the cable storage drum.
 14. The system of claim13, further comprising a stow bin coupled to the cable storage drum. 15.The system of claim 14, wherein the cable storage drum comprises twoclamshells forming a housing.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein thehousing includes one or more vents.
 17. The system of claim 16, furtherincluding a powered push cable deployment and/or retractor mechanism.18. The system of claim 17, further including a pull handle.